“Aggressively expanding the palette of perspectives within the 90-year-old organization’s ranks is the goal,” said Variety’s awards editor Kristopher Tapley.

“Nine hundred twenty-eight new members is more than a statement, it’s a declaration. Next year, the number will likely be north of 1,000 and the overall membership will tip the scales at 10,000. It was nearly half that just seven or eight years ago.”

Marvel’s “Black Panther” is rewarded for its groundbreaking success with invitations for Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya and rapper Kendrick Lamar, who produced the soundtrack.

Roman Polanski may recently have been expelled over his historic statutory rape conviction in the United States but his wife, the actress Emmanuelle Seigner, will be in charge of Oscar voting if she takes up her invitation.

Kobe Bryant, who was given an Oscar for animated short “Dear Basketball,” despite accusations he has always denied that he raped a 19-year-old hotel worker, was not invited.